[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H255-H256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PRESIDENT'S SIGNATURE ON OMNIBUS BILL MEANS VICTORY FOR AMISH COMMUNITY

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1

[[Page H256]]

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, the President signed the omnibus 
bill into law. H.R. 1943, the Amish Labor bill, a bill I have pushed 
since I came to this body, was part of that package.
  The bill keeps in place common sense safety rules, but allows Amish 
teenagers to learn a trade after they complete their formal schooling, 
which is equivalent to the eighth grade, in an apprenticeship program. 
This is the way they learn to make a living.
  After years of trying to win this protection for the Amish community 
to preserve their way of life, we have finally done it. The President's 
signature on this bill is a victory for the Amish, for religious 
liberty, and for diversity in America.
  Centuries ago, these people came to America to escape persecution, to 
worship and live freely, and their life and customs have remained 
mostly intact since they arrived. They do not ask for Social Security 
or unemployment or anything from the government; they just want to be 
left alone to raise their children and make a living. Over the years we 
have stood up for groups like the Amish when the law has threatened 
their well-being and survival.
  I applaud the Senate for approving the bill, I thank the President 
for signing it into law, and I thank all of my colleagues who helped us 
get this into law.

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